This is Your Brain on Music - Daniel Levitin

A musician and brain researcher examines how our brains react to music. This is a very academic book at times, but if you want to better understand music and our reaction to it, this is a good book. It gave me a lot to think about related to music. It answers a lot of questions and leaves you with others. The book is sub-titled "The Science of a Human Obsession" and this author is certainly obsessed. If you love music, you will enjoy this book.

Practicing- A musician's return to music - Glenn Kurtz

A romantic ode to music and an auto-biographical tale of a classical guitarist. The focus of the book is on musical practice. Much insight is offered into the work of becoming an accomplished muscian. The author's literary skills are displayed in his frequent musings on music and meaning in life. The philosophical explorations climax in the last ten pages when he picks up his guitar again after ten years and examines practicing in relation to performing and life in general. A good read for those who love to listen and think about music.

Not Enough Indians - Harry Shearer

This book is FUNNY! It is what you would expect from someone who has written for the Simpson's TV show. Witty and cutting in its take on Indian casinos and American life. While it might be a little too close to the truth at times, the humor will keep you laughing rather than crying. Dueling casinos without enough Indians....need I say more?

Museum Skepticism - David Carrier

Subtitled: A history of the display of art in public galleries. You have to question if a book with a 36 page bibliography and five times as many footnotes as pages is written to be read or to be studied. It is not surprising that Carrier is a philosophy professor. In spite of a heavy emphasis on academic philosophical meanderings, the book presents and interesting history of the display of art in public galleries. The author disputes the skeptics who claim that museums are a negative influence on art. He presents interesting case studies of several museums and is most supportive of the new Getty in LA. Arguing for new thinking and the evolution of art museums, he brings up intriguing points worth thinking about. Read it if you can get past the textbook style.

The Laws of Change - Jack Balkin

A modern translation of the classic I-Ching. Balkin writes a translation that is very accessable for us Westerners. He leans heavy on moral and ethical questions while offering insights from the Chinese classic. The book is my favorite I-Ching translation and is probably the practical one. If you only want to read one I-Ching book, and yet take a very serious look at this philosophical goldmine, this is the book to read.

Those who want to study the I-Ching in depth will want to also look at the Wilhelm and Huang translations. Understanding and accepting change can bring peace into the frequent chaos of life.